Evolution

"While I am preparing, why don't you introduce your Arcanum?" Dawn said while drawing Runes in the air. The Runes she was drawing were incomparable to anything Laigiel had seen before. They seem to be with the world itself.

"Let me start! My name of mine is {The Bright Bulwark}. It is a manifestation-type Arcanum. When I summon it, I can channel the power of the sun," Keith said with great gusto.

"{Destiny's Roullete} is my Arcanum. It has 37 slots, all of which give me different abilities. I need 20 minutes before I can change my ability again," Audrey followed.

"That is not dependable, isn't it?" Keith asked.

"Unfortunately, no," Audrey sighed.

"I have {Jincan}. I can absorb all kinds of poisons and chemicals to strengthen my poison. I can also use it as my energy if necessary," Aliza followed.

"{The Gatekeeping Candle}. If I ignite it, I can use flames. Once it reaches 3/4, it will change to Hell Flames, then at 1/2, Black Flames, then Nether Flames at 1/4. Finally, when the candle extinguishes, I will lose my Arcanum for about an hour," Dylan explained.

"{The Traveller's Scroll}. I remember everything. Also, if I can completely understand an Arcanum technique, I can duplicate it, but it is imperfect," Laigiel said.

"It is disappointing that you wouldn't be able to meet Theos before you get into the training camp. He has a similar Arcanum. He would have been able to teach you a lot," Dawn commented.

"I hope I get to meet sir someday," Laigiel answered.

"Don't worry, you will. Continue," Dawn said.

"{Tarot}. I can use the powers of the 22 major tarot cards. I can only choose one at a time, though," Ethia said.

"Ouch, how come she gets to choose and I'm stuck here hoping for the best?" Audrey sighed over her fate.

Ethia did not know what to say and only smiled sweetly at Audrey.

"I have {Twilight}. It is a domain-type Arcanum. The field around me would exist between dream and reality," Ashe said.

"That's ridiculous," Keith could not help but be amazed.

"All of you have fascinating Arcana. I would argue that some of yours are better than some of those from the Second Room. Just discover their full potential and use them to your advantage. Are any of you proficient in Runes or even Laws?" Dawn asked.

"I know how to draw Hyper Runes, but in combat, I can only use Sentient Runes. Meanwhile, I only attained the first level of mastery in Laws, Law as Intent," Ashe said in disappointment. One could visibly see the sorrow in her eyes after saying those words.

'I feel like a monkey,' Laigiel felt down.

"If that is something to be disappointed about, then I guess I am giving myself too much credit," Keith scratched his head and sighed.

Dawn smiled and said, "Those are good enough achievements for your age; however, Ashe is right to be disappointed. Those from the university would eclipse you. Don't worry, though, Gale would train you."

Every one of them had doubtful looks in their eyes. They could not decipher how they would bridge the gap between them and the geniuses of other powerhouses.

"Can we really catch up to them?" Aliza asked with hopeful eyes.

"Of course, this evolution is merely the beginning. Gale would take over and develop all of you. I guess, Eve had not told you yet, but the location of the training camp is deep in the sea, The Villa of No Return."

'What is that? I have never heard of it before,' Lagiel thought. Similarly, his peers were also lost.

"It is not surprising that you have never heard of it. It is, after all, our property. The Villa of No Return is somewhere deep in the Death Ocean. It is an area where time flows ten times faster than outside. It was originally called The Zone of No Return, but we have already developed that place and built our own villa there," Dawn explained.

"How is that possible? Wouldn't we get crushed by the pressure?" Aliza asked.

"Normally, you would, but through space and time laws, we managed to create a miniature world there that has time ten times faster than the outside world. However, it requires our permission to enter that world, ergo, what this whole training camp is about."

'I see. The Keynote Journalists were pressured to do this, huh? I guess, even they cannot dodge the might of The World Force,' Laigiel realized.

"Isn't time manipulation more common than this?" Ashe asked.

"Indeed; however, The Villa of No Return functions like our world. Ordinarily, it would be extremely difficult to perceive all other Laws in a place with time enchantment, but the case is not the same there. Everything functions normally there while having significantly thicker Arcane. It is a haven for training. Gale will accompany you there a week from now, he will train you for about 20 months. That should be enough time for you to gain a completely new level of strength."

'What the hell is this? Was it always this simple to be powerful? Is this how the other side of the world lives?'

"I'm done. Focus your minds. Take note that you will experience severe pain that would make you want to die. Do not fall asleep lest your Arcanum goes astray. This will also be a great time to discover the hidden characteristics of your Arcanum, treasure it," Dawn reminded.

Just then, countless light green Runes filled with Laws of Life and Laws of Origin glowed. They merged with the revealed Arcana of the seven youths, fusing the Laws with them. Their seven Arcana glowed blindingly bright as they shake and evolved.

"AAAAAA!!!" wails of despair echoed within the room as the process continued.

'Wha--AAAA' Laigiel couldn't even think straight. He felt a kind of pain that he could never describe. It was just like what Dawn described. It was a pain that made him wish for death.